Gambia’s president Adama Barrow has declared a state of emergency in order to stop the spread of Coronavirus in the country.
The government said all non-essential issues are nullified to ensure that the virus will not escalate.
This is the latest move by the president after the closure of both air space and borderlines in the Gambia last week.
The president said “I have now signed a second Proclamation declaring a state of public emergency throughout The Gambia.
Under this Proclamation, the following measures shall be enforced with effect from today, 27th March 2020”
- All non-essential food outlets in all markets and enclosed shopping areas shall be closed.
- All non-essential public places, such as bars, cafeterias, cinemas, video clubs, gymnasiums, museums, night clubs, public swimming pools, events halls, casinos, gaming parlours and sporting venues shall be closed.
- All public places of worship shall be closed.
- The number of people attending any social gathering, such as weddings, naming ceremonies and funerals shall be restricted to a maximum of ten people.
- All public transport shall carry half of the total number of passengers they are allowed to transport by law,” Barrow declared on state Television GRTS.
However some essential places such as Banks, supermarkets and other areas will continue to work in the Gambia.
“The general public is reassured that essential services will continue. These include services provided by banks, petrol stations, traders and vendors in food and basic commodities in the markets, supermarkets and corner-shops” Barrow said.
At the moment there are around 45 new cases which are pending currently.
Over forty thousand (40,000) people in the Tourism industry lost their jobs due to the Coronavirus.
Social security and housing finance cooperation has also scale down over 100 staff to minimize the spread of Coronavirus.
President Barrow has also advised the parastatal and private sector to scale down workers in their respective work place.
Drivers are advised to reduce the capacity of passengers they carry. Gambia has registered 3 case of COVID-19 registering one death.
Source: Africafeeds.com
